So, with MSFS 2024 being around the corner, there are a few things I would like to practice. I'm fairly new to Airliners and wondered how do you practice landing procedures like RNAV or ILS approaches without having to start the flight at the gate? I know the more study level aircraft pretty much require that if I am not mistaken. Just wondering if there is a faster way since I have all the preflight and takeoff stuff down for the most part.

Thanks for any tips/suggestions.

I had this exact conundrum yesterday as I really wanted to practice landing the Fenix A320 which I've always struggled with.

There is an app called FSiPanel which from what I gather works a bit like an instructors station in a large sim. You can configure the aircraft on various stages of an approach and it'll position it and set it all up for you to fly, and then give you a debrief of your performance afterwards.

It's quite pricey and also takes itself quite a while to get configured though, so I decided against it and instead spawned in at Shannon (a popular airport in Ireland that airlines use for base training new pilots), and flew some circuits in the A320. It's actually surprisingly easy and the circuit was almost as quick to fly and get back on final as the app would have been to get itself set up. It's also a really fun way to pass half an hour or so if you don't have time for a full flight!

Edited October 15, 20241 yr by Tom Wright

I agree with Tom, for your needs the best option is FsiPanel.

I second the recommendation for FSiPanel. With some addons, it will even take care of setting up the FMC for you. Definitely a faster way of doing multiple approaches than doing a go-around and looping around again for another approach.

I'll check that out but I loath to spend more money with the need to save up for MSFS 2025. Appreciate the feedback thus far everyone.

Which aircraft?

The A320 v2 and the PMDG 737 are the main two I'm wanting more practice on. 

FSiPanel is really good, but there are plenty of situations where you will need to create "pilot waypoints" to start at the correct bearing and altitude for RNAV/LOC/VOR and visual approaches. For example, some approaches are offset from the centreline, so selecting a "straight in" approach will position you in the wrong location.

Having said that, creating waypoints is not so difficult, and it actually makes the software more powerful and flexible.

24 minutes ago, Lotharen said:

The A320 v2 and the PMDG 737 are the main two I'm wanting more practice on. 

I use saved flights saved at various stages.

Example; PMDG 737 saved prior to TOD or nearer the destination in a holding pattern.

Now I can fly the saved approach or change it and fly the new approach.
Or divert to another airport / approach.

I also use FSiPanel.

edit:

My original FSiPanel purchase FSX in 2010 and now the current FSiPanel2020 for P3D4 and P3D5 and MSFS2020.

FSiPanel assumes you know the aircraft well.
You could start your FSiPanel training from e.g. a STAR, in a hold, downwind, on vectors or on approach (to name a few situations).

Edited October 15, 20241 yr by vonmar

Awesome everyone! Thanks so much for the recommendations.

For me I would pick an airport not large but not small either - it is beneficial if you are familiar with the airport and local airspace however it is not a requirement. Then load up around 7-8 tonnes of fuel in case of A320/B737 with engines running near runway holding point as my starting location. Then I would load a SID that goes in the direction from where you can intercept the arrival routing. From there follow the arrival routing until you intercept the appropriate instrument approach procedure.

If you just want to practise landings - do visual circuits around the field, normally around 2000ft of above ground level and left hand turns. 

23 minutes ago, CAP1234 said:

For me I would pick an airport not large but not small either - it is beneficial if you are familiar with the airport and local airspace however it is not a requirement. Then load up around 7-8 tonnes of fuel in case of A320/B737 with engines running near runway holding point as my starting location. Then I would load a SID that goes in the direction from where you can intercept the arrival routing. From there follow the arrival routing until you intercept the appropriate instrument approach procedure.

If you just want to practise landings - do visual circuits around the field, normally around 2000ft of above ground level and left hand turns. 

The A320 makes it surprisingly easy to fly circuits too - just set up the MCDU with a departure and arrival pair that are the same (eg EINN/EINN) and set a departure and arrival runway with no SID or STAR, throw the autopilot in once airborne and just self vector onto an intercept for the ILS.

1 hour ago, Tom Wright said:

The A320 makes it surprisingly easy to fly circuits too - just set up the MCDU with a departure and arrival pair that are the same (eg EINN/EINN) and set a departure and arrival runway with no SID or STAR, throw the autopilot in once airborne and just self vector onto an intercept for the ILS.

Could this be done for RNAV too?

5 minutes ago, Lotharen said:

Could this be done for RNAV too?

Yes, just set the RNAV STAR you wish to use instead of the NO STAR option in the MCDU and then vector yourself to the first waypoint of the STAR.

Edited October 15, 20241 yr by Tom Wright

You can fly circuits for any approach type yes.

Flying circuits , with touch and go’s, low go arounds will give you a much better familiarity with the aircraft as you reconfigure all the time before landing and after take off, or go around. Much better than resetting position after each approach.

Its easy enough to self position for large IFR circuits using the ND display and HDG SEL.